EIA: Coal exports, imports down

U.S. coal exports fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2016, according to a report released Tuesday by the Energy Information Administration.

U.S. coal exports fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2016, according to a report released Tuesday by the Energy Information Administration.

Photo: Energy Information Administration

Photo: Energy Information Administration

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U.S. coal exports fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2016, according to a report released Tuesday by the Energy Information Administration.

U.S. coal exports fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2016, according to a report released Tuesday by the Energy Information Administration.

Photo: Energy Information Administration

EIA: Coal exports, imports down

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U.S. coal exports fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2016, according to a report released Tuesday by the Energy Information Administration.

The nation remained a net exporter of coal, exporting 60.3 million short tons last year while importing 9.8 million short tons. Exports were down 13.7 million short tons, less than half of 2012’s record exports of 125.7 million short tons.

The EIA attributed the decline to slow growth in coal demand worldwide and supplier competition.

Eighty percent of coal exports go to 10 countries, and declining exports to nine of those countries accounted for two-thirds of the total decline.

Coal imports fell 13 percent compared to 2015. Ninety percent of imports are for steam coal, which is used to generate electricity. The predominant source of coal imports is Colombia.